Improvement in curtain-fixtures



R. A. THOMPSON.

WITNESSLEIS ATTOR N EY UNITED STTES OFGE ROBERT A. THOMPSON, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CURTAlN-FIXTURES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,771, dated December 15, 1874; application filed April 25, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT A. THOMPSON, of Beaver Falls, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window- Shades; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in curtain-fixtures, or the devices by means of which window -shades are suspended and operated. The invention consists in a new and improved combination of devices, whereby the brackets for sustaining the curtain may be readily secured to and adjusted upon the window-casing, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompany drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a window-shade, showing my improved attachments. Fig.2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the brackets; Fig. 4, a detached view in perspective of one of my improved extensionbars.

Referring to the parts by letters, A represents the upper portion'of a window-casing. Bis a window shade or curtain secured in the usual way to the roller 0, and having a weighted curtain stick or rod, 0. D D represent bars or plates, having elongated slots d extending the greater portion of their length, the sides of the slots tapering inward slightly. The outer ends of the bars D D arewidened and formed with a rectangular depression, d, and a lateral slot, 01. Their inner ends are provided with projecting points or studs, and they are secured to the casing by means of a screw passed through the slot into the casing.

With this device it will be obvious that the position of the bars may be adjusted nearer to or farther apart, by simply loosening the screw and sliding or moving the bar out or in, and that by means of this device the window-shade can be readily fitted to any window without the use of blocks or other similar device.

E represents a bracket which may be used in connection with the extension-bars just described, or may be attached directly to the casing, it being provided with projecting studs or points 6 c and a slot, c, by means of which and a screw passed through the slot it can be readily secured to the window-casin g, when desired. The bracket is also provided with a flanged projection or shoulder, e, and a flat rectangular bearing-plate, 6', corresponding to the rectangular depression on the outer end of the bar D. By means of the slot in the bar the bracket is slipped on and held firmly in position by the bearing -plate 6' and shoulder e, as clearly shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings. These extension-bars and bracketsmay be used with any of the ordinary descriptions of window-shades. E is a bracket of similar construction to the one just described, so far as its means of attachment are concerned. Its lower portion, however, is differcut, it being extended and a lever, Gr, pivoted thereto. The upper end 9 of this lever is weighted and the lower, 9, formed into a loop or ring. H is a pawl on the lever G, which engages with a ratchet-wheel, J, secured on the end of the roller 0. Between the flange of this ratchet-Wheel and the flange on the end of the roller is the space which forms the cord-pulley. I is the hoisting-cord. A cord may also be attached to the looped end of the lever G for convenience of operation.

The operation of this cord attachment is as follows: The weight g keeps the pawl H in contact with the ratchet J, and thereby retains the window-shade in any desired position. When it is desired to lower the shade the operator pulls on the cord attached to the lever, thereby removing the pawl from the ratchet and permitting the shade to descend by its gravity or the weight of the curtain-rod c. As the curtain descends the hoisting-cord I will be wound upon the pulley, and by removing the hand from the cord attached to the lever the weight y will again bring the pawl into contact with the ratchet and hold the curtain in position. When it is desired to raise the shade the operator pulls on both cords at once, and when raised to the desired height he, by withdrawing his hand from the lever-cord, allows the pawl to engage with the ratchet, when the curtain will be suspended, as before.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

llhe combination of the brackets E and the extensionbars D D, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

R. A. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

T. G. McPnERsoN, J. G. HARBISON. 

